Should i require anti virus software?

If i run windows through bootcamp for downloading and web based gaming do i require anti virus software? I currently have no security software on my mac but as i intend to use windows through boot camp for downloading and web based gaming, do i need to install any anti virus or security software?

 

Well, technically speaking, if you are using Windows 7 to download things and do web-based gaming, then Windows firewall that comes integrated can be adequate.

However, it also depends on how you set up your security level (for example, no administrative privileges).
But if you want to make sure to be protected 'just in case', then you can install a free AV that's efficient and light.
You could pick one of these:
Microsoft Security Essentials, Panda free, Avast Free or Avira Free.

 

I wouldn't advise going free just for the sake of going free.

If the OP was using Windows strictly through virtualization, such as Parallels, I'd say go with the free AV route. However, as an actual Bootcamp installation, there's a need for something more substantial. Just because Windows is running on Macbook doesn't mean that its any less vulnerable than on a PC.

On OS X itself, Clam or Sophos is probably adequate.

 

Uhm... well, I was talking about Windows itself, and my statement had nothing to do with running the said OS via virtualization or on a Mac.
I am a Win 7 user and have had 0 issue with nothing but MSE and Windows Firewall.
A free AV solution (which is effective and light) is more than adequate.
I find it a bit of an overstatement that paid solutions are 'better' when there are numerous examples of the opposite.

Aside from that, it's more than doable to run a Win 7 only machine with nothing but Windows firewall.
The OS security merely needs to be modified.

 

Just because MSE is better than the worst paid Internet Security suites doesn't mean that it isn't worse than the best.

And it makes a great deal of difference when you're running Windows in a nice safe virtualization or as a hardware install.

That's not very safe at all. Windows is just inherently vulnerable compared to any Unix-based OS.

 

Mind elaborating?

Not disagreeing, I'm just curious.

 

In a nutshell: Unix vs. Microsoft Windows: How system designs reflect security philosophy | TechRepublic

Mac OS X isn't necessarily way better of than Windows 7, but Unix in the general case is definitely better off than Windows, both today and moving forward. Something like FreeBSD would be extremely secure compared to Windows.